HefoundMissVereseatedbythewindowofherdressing-room，herheadrecliningonherhand，andeithersunkinslumber，orsodeeplyengagedinmeditation，thatshedidnothearthenoisehemadeathisentrance。Heapproachedwithhisfeaturescomposedtoadeepexpressionofsorrowandsympathy，and，sittingdownbesideher，solicitedherattentionbyquietlytakingherhand，amotionwhichhedidnotfailtoaccompanywithadeepsigh。
\"Myfather！\"saidIsabella，withasortofstart，whichexpressedatleastasmuchfear，asjoyoraffection。
\"Yes，Isabella，\"saidVere，\"yourunhappyfather，whocomesnowasapenitenttocraveforgivenessofhisdaughterforaninjurydonetoherintheexcessofhisaffection，andthentotakeleaveofherforever。\"
\"Sir？Offencetometakeleaveforever？Whatdoesallthismean？\"saidMissVere。
\"Yes，Isabella，Iamserious。Butfirstletmeaskyou，haveyounosuspicionthatImayhavebeenprivytothestrangechancewhichbefellyouyesterdaymorning？\"